2021 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 116about this part
- Share
- 11%of 1,040 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 116 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Ford F-150, 11% of the 1,040 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The safety daytime running lights are failing prematurely. My car has 32,000 miles and my DRL is burnt out on the passenger side. Online forums confirm that this is happening to many, many people. It’s a safety hazard for other drivers because the cost to repair is substantial and people aren’t fixing them. Ford should fix this as a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11755402, filed 2026-08“Both daytime running lights, which also serve as part of the headlights have burnt out. First the drivers side vertical strip of the LED light went out, then the passenger side same vertical strip only. Recently, the horizontal top strip of the headlight went out too. Just happened around 30,000 miles, little past 3 years since I bought my truck”
NHTSA complaint #11626476, filed 2024-11“My daytime running light has burned out. I also see a lot of other f150 around town with the same exact problem. I also don’t want to get stopped from the police for having a bulb burned out. I have researched this problem and you can’t fix it unless you buy a whole brand new headlight assembly for $1500.”
NHTSA complaint #11770343, filed 2026-10“My 2021 Ford F-150 has been having trouble with the transmission. Hard shifting, shifting to 10th gear at 40mph and unable to downshift after slowing down. I have also had issues with the daytime running lights not working since around 45k miles. My truck only has 59K miles at the time of me typing this.”
NHTSA complaint #11741271, filed 2026-06“The day time running light on the driver side is out and is a known problem for the 2021+ F-150’s with LED headlights that I have seen. It would be in everyones best interest if we could have this recalled and have Ford fix this issue that is not covered by warranty and without having to scavenge $2100 to replace one side of a headlight which is a safety feature for the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11634255, filed 2025-01Related recalls
- 25V348000May 23, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall…Covers: Ford F-150 2021
Related service bulletins
- 11031913Apr 29, 202626C10 Recall remedy -Addresses instances where the trailer lights and trailer brakes may not function
- 11020414Jul 2, 2025Some 2021-2025 F-150 non-Lightning, 2023-2025 F-Super Duty, 2024-2025 Ranger, and 2025 Explorer vehicles may exhibit a perceived improper functioning fog lamp(s). Customers may…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 26% |
| 2023 | 23 | 6% |
| 2022 | 66 | 11% |
| 2021 | 116 | 11% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 16 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 1% |
| 2011 | 30 | 1% |
| 2010 | 28 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 0% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 1% |
| 1997 | 34 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 1% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-150
321 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
131 complaintsElectrical system
130 complaintsOther or unknown
97 complaintsFuel system
93 complaintsEngine
84 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsSteering
43 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsWheels
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology